Editing Drew Brees (section)

==College career==
Brees received offers from only two colleges, [[Purdue University|Purdue]] and [[University of Kentucky|Kentucky]], choosing Purdue for its highly rated academics.<ref name="purdue1999" /> He graduated in 2001 with a degree in [[industrial management]],<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=Fall 2010 |title=Game Manager |url=http://www.krannert.purdue.edu/konline/2010f/brees.asp |url-status=live |magazine=Krannert Magazine (K-Online) |publisher=[[Purdue University|Purdue]] – [[Krannert School of Management]] |volume=11 |issue=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127011325/http://krannert.purdue.edu/konline/2010f/brees.asp/ |archive-date=November 27, 2016 |access-date=April 29, 2022}}</ref> and is a member of the [[Sigma Chi]] fraternity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Delta Delta Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity |url=http://www.thesighouse.com/visitors/introToDeltaDelta.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119035849/http://www.thesighouse.com/visitors/introToDeltaDelta.html |archive-date=January 19, 2015 |access-date=January 4, 2015 |website=thesighouse.com}}</ref>

After a relatively uneventful freshman season, Brees was given his first start during his sophomore year by [[Purdue Boilermakers football|Boilermakers]] head coach [[Joe Tiller]] and became an integral part of Tiller and [[Jim Chaney]]'s unorthodox "basketball on grass" [[spread offense]], serving as offensive captain during his junior and senior years.<ref name="Tiller" /><ref name="bio">{{Cite web |title=Drew's Bio |url=http://www.drewbrees.com/bio |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103012109/http://www.drewbrees.com/bio |archive-date=January 3, 2011 |access-date=January 2, 2011 |website=DrewBrees.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McCammon |first=Michael |date=October 27, 2020 |title=Purdue in the NFL: Drew Brees set another record |url=https://247sports.com/college/purdue/longformarticle/purdue-football-players-nfl-report-drew-brees-jawhaun-bentley-raheem-mostert-153731884/ |access-date=May 30, 2024 |website=247Sports |language=en}}</ref> In the 1998 season, in a game against [[1998 Wisconsin Badgers football team|Wisconsin]], Brees tied an NCAA single-game record with 55 completions and set the NCAA record for pass attempts in a single game with 83. He finished 31–24 loss with 494 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dienhart |first=Tom |date=October 10, 2020 |title=BoilerUpload - Time Warp--Oct. 10, 1998: Brees throws NCAA record 83 times at Wisconsin |url=https://purdue.rivals.com/news/time-warp-oct-10-1998-brees-throws-ncaa-record-83-times-at-wisconsin?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJJKt5QQot70POhiar7hnyCAtWP8NnOYYRMp8EuO-btwb0JlTT5II8JQVwN4iU325ILKwxhZdDq5kF5pfZ9lO_eyzz5Qqh4-blJil8Ymxh4FNZjSfMpMVRh_4YkAZ4cfzc7cd7KrXNYrg8z7aN4xnAbO3SoB6to75wvjMcPrognd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203200239/https://purdue.rivals.com/news/time-warp-oct-10-1998-brees-throws-ncaa-record-83-times-at-wisconsin?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJJKt5QQot70POhiar7hnyCAtWP8NnOYYRMp8EuO-btwb0JlTT5II8JQVwN4iU325ILKwxhZdDq5kF5pfZ9lO_eyzz5Qqh4-blJil8Ymxh4FNZjSfMpMVRh_4YkAZ4cfzc7cd7KrXNYrg8z7aN4xnAbO3SoB6to75wvjMcPrognd |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |access-date=December 3, 2022 |website=Rivals.com}}</ref> He had the option to make himself available for the [[2000 NFL draft]] but chose to return for his senior year to complete his studies.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Layden |first=Tim |date=April 30, 2001 |title=Drew Brees |url=https://www.si.com/vault/2001/04/30/8095409/hang-time-with-his-future-up-in-the-air-purdues-drew-brees-like-many-top-prospects-lived-in-a-maddening-limbo-from-new-years-to-draft-day-working-out-for-nfl-teams-watching-his-draft-status-rise-and-fall-never-knowing-which-pro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818195943/https://www.si.com/vault/2001/04/30/8095409/hang-time-with-his-future-up-in-the-air-purdues-drew-brees-like-many-top-prospects-lived-in-a-maddening-limbo-from-new-years-to-draft-day-working-out-for-nfl-teams-watching-his-draft-status-rise-and-fall-never-knowing-which-pro |archive-date=August 18, 2019 |access-date=August 18, 2019 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> In [[2000 NCAA Division I-A football season|2000]], he led the [[Purdue Boilermakers football|Boilermakers]] to memorable last-minute upsets against top-ranked [[2000 Ohio State Buckeyes football team|Ohio State]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 28, 2000 |title=NCAA Football – Ohio State vs. Purdue |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores100/100302/100302383.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706114058/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores100/100302/100302383.htm |archive-date=July 6, 2017 |access-date=August 18, 2019 |website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> and [[2000 Michigan Wolverines football team|Michigan]] en route to the Boilermakers' first [[List of Big Ten Conference football champions|Big Ten championship]] (shared with [[Michigan Wolverines football|Michigan]] and [[Northwestern Wildcats football|Northwestern]]) since 1967.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Big Ten Conference Index |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/big-ten/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904154524/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/big-ten/ |archive-date=September 4, 2019 |access-date=May 30, 2024 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The Ohio State game was replayed on [[ESPN Classic]] and is widely remembered for Brees's four [[interception]]s and 64-yard touchdown pass to Seth Morales with 1:55 remaining to seal a vital 31–27 win, prompting commentator [[Brent Musburger]] to exclaim "Holy Toledo!" and a post-game [[Pitch invasion|field rush]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 28, 2013 |title=Football Game Notes – vs. No. 4 Ohio State |url=http://www.purduesports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102813aab.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810013741/http://www.purduesports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102813aab.html |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |access-date=August 18, 2019 |website=[[Purdue Boilermakers|Purdue University Athletics]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Travis |date=May 27, 2008 |title=Best Wins of the Tiller Era #1 Ohio State 2000 |url=http://www.hammerandrails.com/2008/05/best-wins-of-tiller-era-1-ohio-state.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105104635/https://www.hammerandrails.com/2008/05/best-wins-of-tiller-era-1-ohio-state.html |archive-date=November 5, 2019 |access-date=December 4, 2019 |website=Hammer & Rails |publisher=[[SB Nation]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Trotter |first=Jim |date=September 8, 2002 |title=Mr. Cool – Quarterback Brees has a knack for coming through in the clutch |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20020908-9999_1s8chargers.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430093909/http://www.utsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20020908-9999_1s8chargers.html |archive-date=April 30, 2015 |website=[[U-T San Diego]]}}</ref> Brees helped lead Purdue to a #9 ranking in the AP Poll, the program's highest spot since the 1980 season, during the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Purdue Boilermakers College Football History, Stats, Records |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/purdue/index.html |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120200543/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/purdue/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Purdue Boilermakers AP Poll History |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/purdue/ |access-date=January 20, 2023 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120200623/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/purdue/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to head-to-head victories over Michigan and Northwestern, Purdue won the invitation to the [[2001 Rose Bowl]], which was the school's first appearance there since 1967.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2000 |title=Purdue wins share of Big Ten title |url=http://a.espncdn.com/ncf/2000/20001118/recap/iieppj.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826113306/http://a.espncdn.com/ncf/2000/20001118/recap/iieppj.html |archive-date=August 26, 2014 |access-date=August 18, 2019 |website=[[ESPN.com]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

Brees was a finalist for the [[Davey O'Brien Award]] as the nation's best quarterback in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Year-by-Year Finalists |url=https://daveyobrienaward.org/year-by-year-finalists/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716175924/https://daveyobrienaward.org/year-by-year-finalists/ |archive-date=July 16, 2019 |access-date=August 18, 2019 |website=Davey O'Brien Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref> He won the [[Maxwell Award]] as the nation's outstanding player of 2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maxwell Award Winner – Drew Brees |url=http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org/award-winner/drew-brees |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402024042/https://maxwellfootballclub.org/award-winner/drew-brees |archive-date=April 2, 2017 |access-date=August 18, 2019 |website=[[Maxwell Football Club]]}}</ref> and the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]'s [[Today's Top 10 Award|Today's Top VIII Award]] as a member of the Class of 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2000 |title=2001 Today's Top VIII reflect student-athlete leadership |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/NCAANewsArchive/2000/association-wide/2001%2Btoday_s%2Btop%2Bviii%2Breflect%2Bstudent-athlete%2Bleadership%2B-%2B12-18-00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812204713/http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/NCAANewsArchive/2000/association-wide/2001%2Btoday_s%2Btop%2Bviii%2Breflect%2Bstudent-athlete%2Bleadership%2B-%2B12-18-00.html |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |website=[[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]}}</ref> Brees was also fourth in [[Heisman Trophy]] voting in 1999 and third in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1999 Heisman Trophy Voting |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-1999.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212171158/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-1999.html |archive-date=December 12, 2021 |access-date=May 30, 2024 |website=[[Sports Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> As a senior, Brees became the first Boilermaker since Bruce Brineman in 1989 to earn [[List of Football Academic All-America Team Members of the Year|Academic All-America]] honors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=First Team All-Americans |url=http://www.purduesports.com/trads/all-americans.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501103555/http://www.purduesports.com/trads/all-americans.html |archive-date=May 1, 2018 |access-date=August 10, 2014 |website=[[Purdue Boilermakers|Purdue University Athletics]]}}</ref><ref name="grad2001" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September 5, 2013 |title=Drew Brees |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/photos/2013/09/05/drew-brees-classic-photos# |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924042524/http://www.si.com/nfl/photos/2013/09/05/drew-brees-classic-photos |archive-date=September 24, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2000 |title=Purdue's Brees heads 2000 football Academic All-Americans |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/NCAANewsArchive/2000/association-wide/purdue_s+brees+heads+2000+football+academic+all-americans+-+12-18-00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924042724/http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/NCAANewsArchive/2000/association-wide/purdue_s+brees+heads+2000+football+academic+all-americans+-+12-18-00.html |archive-date=September 24, 2014 |website=[[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]}}</ref> Additionally, he won Academic All-Big Ten honors a record three times,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007 |title=Media Guide – Academic All-Big Ten Honorees |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/pur/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/sg07-sect02.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813011103/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/pur/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/sg07-sect02.pdf |archive-date=August 13, 2014 |access-date=April 29, 2022 |website=[[Purdue Boilermakers|Purdue University Athletics]] |page=51}}</ref> was initiated into [[Mortar Board]]<ref name="grad2001">{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2001 |title=Purdue Graduation Briefs – Brees throws touchdowns in game of life |url=http://www.purdue.edu/uns/html3month/2001/010427.Graduation.briefs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105184339/https://www.purdue.edu/uns/html3month/2001/010427.Graduation.briefs.html |archive-date=November 5, 2019 |access-date=August 18, 2019 |website=[[Purdue University|purdue.edu]]}}</ref> and awarded the [[Big Ten Medal of Honor]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Conference Medal of Honor Winners |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/genrel/auto_pdf/2013-14/misc_non_event/2013-14MedalofHonor.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804142153/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/genrel/auto_pdf/2013-14/misc_non_event/2013-14MedalofHonor.pdf |archive-date=August 4, 2016 |access-date=August 18, 2019 |website=[[CBS Sports Network|CSTV.com]]}}</ref> and the [[National Football Foundation|NFF]] National Scholar-Athlete Award.<ref name="NFF">{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2001 |title=Three NFF Scholar-Athletes Picked In NFL Draft |url=http://www.footballfoundation.org/News/NewsDetail/tabid/567/Article/52407/three-nff-scholar-athletes-picked-in-nfl-draft.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812205622/http://www.footballfoundation.org/News/NewsDetail/tabid/567/Article/52407/three-nff-scholar-athletes-picked-in-nfl-draft.aspx |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |website=[[National Football Foundation]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 1, 2000 |title=Brees Named National College Scholar-Athlete |url=http://www.purduesports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110100aab.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909011842/http://www.purduesports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110100aab.html |archive-date=September 9, 2017 |access-date=August 18, 2019 |website=[[Purdue Boilermakers|Purdue University Athletics]]}}</ref> Brees also was awarded Purdue's Leonard Wilson Award for unselfishness and dedication.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 20, 2000 |title=Brees Named Football Most Valuable Player |url=http://purduesports.com/news/2000/11/20/Brees_Named_Football_Most_Valuable_Player.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825175957/https://purduesports.com/news/2000/11/20/Brees_Named_Football_Most_Valuable_Player.aspx |archive-date=August 25, 2018 |access-date=February 20, 2019 |website=Purdue University Athletics}}</ref>

In his college career, Brees set two NCAA records, 13 [[Big Ten Conference]] records, and 19 Purdue University records.<ref name="purduesports.com">{{Cite web |date=August 30, 2010 |title=Week 1 Cradle Of Quarterbacks Feature: Drew Brees, 1997–2000 |url=http://www.purduesports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/083010aaa.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161210130053/http://www.purduesports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/083010aaa.html |archive-date=December 10, 2016 |access-date=August 18, 2019 |website=[[Purdue Boilermakers|Purdue University Athletics]]}}</ref> He left Purdue with Big Ten Conference records in passing yards (11,792),<ref name="NYTimes" /> [[touchdown]] passes (90), total offensive yards (12,693), completions (1,026), and attempts (1,678).<ref name="Tiller">{{Cite web |last=Brunt |first=Cliff |date=September 24, 2008 |title=Purdue coach Tiller's spread offense leaves mark |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2008-09-24-572669948_x.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321200446/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2008-09-24-572669948_x.htm |archive-date=March 21, 2016 |access-date=August 18, 2019 |website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> He tied an NCAA record with the 99-yard pass to receiver [[Vinny Sutherland]] against [[1999 Northwestern Wildcats football team|Northwestern]] on September 25, 1999, and held the NCAA record for pass attempts in a game (83) for 15 years, until [[2013 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]] quarterback [[Connor Halliday]] broke it in October 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 25, 1999 |title=Heisman Watch '99 |url=https://www.espn.com/ncf/s/heisman/0925.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818211017/https://www.espn.com/ncf/s/heisman/0925.html |archive-date=August 18, 2019 |access-date=August 18, 2019 |website=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 20, 2013 |title=Connor Halliday breaks Drew Brees' record with 89 pass attempts |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/ncaa-passing-record-89-passes-connor-halliday-drew-brees/obe5c7355a4kzultmle2n8nc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818211054/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/ncaa-passing-record-89-passes-connor-halliday-drew-brees/obe5c7355a4kzultmle2n8nc |archive-date=August 18, 2019 |access-date=August 18, 2019 |website=Sporting News}}</ref>

In 2009, Brees was inducted into Purdue's Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics Hall Of Fame |url=http://www.purduesports.com/school-bio/pur-hallfame.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423073252/http://www.purduesports.com/school-bio/pur-hallfame.html |archive-date=April 23, 2013 |access-date=May 9, 2013 |website=Purdue University Athletics}}</ref> The [[Big Ten Conference]]'s [[Big Ten Conference football individual awards#Griese–Brees Quarterback of the Year|Griese–Brees Quarterback of the Year]] award initiated in 2011 was named in his and [[Bob Griese]]'s honor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 13, 2010 |title=Griese, Brees, Woodson will have Big Ten awards in their names |url=https://www.purdueexponent.org/sports/article_6c646d9e-06ef-11e0-9af0-00127992bc8b.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818210925/https://www.purdueexponent.org/sports/article_6c646d9e-06ef-11e0-9af0-00127992bc8b.html |archive-date=August 18, 2019 |access-date=August 18, 2019 |website=Purdue Exponent}}</ref> He was named the Big Ten's best quarterback of the 1990s<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 26, 2015 |title=Drew Brees – 1990s Best Quarterbacks |url=http://btn.com/video/315254851594/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812203239/http://btn.com/video/315254851594/ |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |access-date=August 18, 2019 |website=[[Big Ten Network]]}}</ref> and ranked number 48 on the 2010 documentary ''[[Big Ten Icons]]'', featuring the conference's top fifty student-athletes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 3, 2010 |title='Big Ten Icons' Countdown Continues With Brees |url=http://www.purduesports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090310aab.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909010704/http://www.purduesports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090310aab.html |archive-date=September 9, 2017 |access-date=August 18, 2019 |website=[[Purdue Boilermakers|Purdue University Athletics]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 4, 2010 |title='Big Ten Icons' to Count Down Conference's All-Time Top 50 Student-Athletes |url=http://www.bigten.org/genrel/030410aaa.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190235/http://www.bigten.org/genrel/030410aaa.html |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |access-date=August 10, 2014 |website=[[Big Ten Conference]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Big Ten Icons – Drew Brees |url=http://www.bigtenicons.com/openlocker.cfm?id=48&name=DREW-BREES |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907092229/http://www.bigtenicons.com/openlocker.cfm?id=48&name=DREW-BREES |archive-date=September 7, 2010 |website=[[Big Ten Icons]]}}</ref>

===College statistics===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Team
! rowspan="2"| GP
! colspan="6"| Passing
|-
! Cmp !! Att !! Pct !! Yds !! TD !! Int
|-
! [[1997 NCAA Division I-A football season|1997]] !! [[1997 Purdue Boilermakers football team|Purdue]]
| 8 || 19 || 43 || 44.2 || 232 || 0 || 1
|-
! [[1998 NCAA Division I-A football season|1998]] !! [[1998 Purdue Boilermakers football team|Purdue]]
| 13 || 361 || 569 || 63.4 || 3,983 || 39 || 20
|-
! [[1999 NCAA Division I-A football season|1999]] !! [[1999 Purdue Boilermakers football team|Purdue]]
| 12 || 337 || 554 || 60.8 || 3,909 || 25 || 12
|-
! [[2000 NCAA Division I-A football season|2000]] !! [[2000 Purdue Boilermakers football team|Purdue]]
| 12 || 309 || 512 || 60.4 || 3,668 || 26 || 12
|-
! colspan="2"| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/drew-brees-1.html Total] !! 45 !! 1,026 !! 1,678 !! 61.1 !! 11,792 !! 90 !! 45
|}